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on Pak'd Off (Pakistan), 03/Apr/2008 09:27, 34 days ago
Well it's been a little while and I feel like it's time for an update, even though I'm not really sure what to say. Everything has just kind of settled into something that seems like a normal routine now so I haven't felt that inspired. I've also been going through a bit of an "enthusiasm trough" where I felt that even putting fingers to keyboard could result in my publishing a full on rant, which is no use to anyone really. Apparently people are still interested though so I will describe some of the significant events of the last month.Security situation - has been worsening of late, March saw three bomb blasts occur in Lahore and an explosion at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad that was filled with ex-pats, 9 of whom were injured and 1 of whom died. Obviously this is a big concern as the target was clearly foreigners. After each attack VSO dole out vague security advice and talk endlessly about "monitoring the situation closely". For those who haven't spotted my cynicism on the matter, to be honest I have very little confidence in VSO where it comes to security. Despite mine and Sarah's experiences in Peshawar they sent another volunteer there just over a month ago. I won't go into detail here but the guy left Peshawar yesterday having beaten mine and Sarah's 5 days by quite a margin, but having had an experience that can be diplomatically described as "interesting". Suffice to say I am livid that this was allowed to happen again.Work - The VSO ethos is of participation and inclusion. We're here to help our organisations and not just tell them what to do, but this means a lot of waiting around to get meetings with the right people. In the end though, I was starting to feel too awkward just sitting around, so I just kind of got on with making some dsign ideas for the website and then asked them later if it was OK. They seemed happy so that's all that matters.On the social side of work well, my last blog entry suggested my admiration for the apparent straightforward nature of my colleagues. However the past two weeks have revealed that while they may be straightforward on a superficial level there are many playground politics afoot in the workplace. In addition to one person's intent to manipulate and get me into trouble with the boss, another is trying to gain access to my laptop in order ascertain whether or not I am in fact a spy (!) and a third person has been in a childish strop with me of late without explanation. Reaching a dead-end with the girl in question I asked someone else only to find that this is apparently over the mere matter of my having left a tap on that refills the lav...I don't know how it all works, no one told me and we don't have them at home, but it caused a leak and I am to be shunned for this heinous crime!Play - I've been out to play every weekend with Cat and Sarah and whoever else is around. We visited another volunteer called Carmel in Khanewal on Easter weekend and took a trip down to Multan to see the sights. Mary's family are visiting a the moment and last weekend we tagged along on some tourist outings bringing our hangovers with us; Saturday was a leaving party for Sarah who decided to end her placement early and head home. It was held on our friends' terrace amidst a boozey haze which ended in the small hours with an acoustic guitar and a sing-song!Sorry for the lacklustre blog entry. Will try harder next time!